Effects of Cognitive Training in Mild Cognitive Impairmentmeasured by Resting State Functional Imaging

Abstract

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is defined as an intermediate state of cognitive alteration between normal aging and dementia. In this study, we performed a functional network connectivity analysis using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the association between changes in functional connectivity in the brain and the improvement in cognitive abilities after cognitive training. A computerized cognitive training program was used to improve the abilities of fifteen participants with MCI. The cognitive training program (Comcog), which consists of three weekly sessions totaling 90 min, was conducted with all participants over six weeks. The cognitive abilities before (pre-Comcog) and after (post-Comcog) the cognitive training process were measured using a neurocognitive function test. After the Comcog, the participants enhanced their visual and verbal memories, attention, and visuo-motor coordination. The functional connectivity between cingulo-opercular (CON) and default mode (DMN) showed significant improvements after Comcog training. Therefore, our study suggests that cognitive training may improve the cognitive abilities of participants. This improvement was associated with an increase in the functional connectivity between DMN and CON. The increase in functional connectivity after cognitive training was specifically associated with overall cognitive functions, including executive, memory, decision-making, and motivational functions.

Problem-solving training modifies cognitive functioning and related functional connectivity in healthy adults

“…This increase in connectivity in the healthy elderly was associated with an improvement in language and delayed memory. Similar increase in resting state brain connectivity after cognitive training have been also reported in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (Styliadis et al, 2014;Kim et al 2020) and after stroke (Lin et al, 2014) suggesting that resting state functional connectivity could be a good marker of cognitive recovery in the clinic. We have just seen in experiment 2 that in subjects trained with problem solving, flexibility was strongly positively correlated with innovative thinking, whereas it was reasoning before training.…”

Convergent functional changes of the episodic memory impairment in mild cognitive impairment: An ALE meta-analysis

“…Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is recognized as an intermediate condition of cognitive alteration between normal aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD) (Kim et al, 2020). The prevalence of MCI in the elderly over 65 is 15% to 20%, 15% of which will progress to dementia at different times thereafter (Kim et al, 2020). And the average annual conversion rate is higher than that of the general population (Petersen et al, 2001).…”

Effect of computerized cognitive rehabilitation in comparison between young and old age after traumatic brain injury

“…Comcog is a computerized cognitive rehabilitation program that is still actively used in various diseases such as stroke, TBI, mild cognitive impairment, and autism spectrum disorder. [22][23][24][25][26]…”